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Ply Gem Adds Canada's Gienow

Expanding its presence in Western Canada, Ply Gem Indusries has acquired Gienow Windows & Doors. The window and door manufacturer was owned by VKR Holding, the Danish parent of Velux Group, which reported the sale on its website.

Ply Gem, based in Cary, N.C., already owns Ply Gem Canada. Based in Calgary, Alberta, the company operates a 300,000-square-foot plant that manufactures clad-wood and vinyl windows and doors, serving Western Canada. With a 350,000-square-foot plant in Calgary, as well as sales offices throughout Western Canada, Gienow produces vinyl, clad-wood, and metal-clad vinyl windows and doors.

"We will continue to run both operations, and both brands, independently," says John Wayne, Ply Gem executive vice president and COO, adding that Gienow offers products and operations that are similar and complementary to Ply Gem in Canada. "This acquisition allows the opportunity for Ply Gem to expand its existing product portfolio and distribution network in Western Canada."

Both Ply Gem and Gienow’s customers will continue to be serviced through their existing relationships, Wayne reports. "As we move forward, customers will have access to an expanded portfolio of products and services," he continues.

"In addition to geographic distribution, we will be able to leverage synergies, including manufacturing and operations, between both organizations, which will continue to operate independently,"

VKR, which owns numerous other window and door companies in Europe, acquired Gienow in 2009. It will continue to maintain its presence in the North American window and door market through its involvement with Velux, as well as its ownership of Loewen, the high-end wood window manufacturer based in Steinbach, Manitoba. The transaction regarding Gienow has no impact on other VKR-owned activities in North America, officials note.